Ivan Kaufman is Chairman, President & CEO of Arbor Realty Trust.

Weekly Roundup: December 21, 2017

This week’s collection of industry news stories touch upon the movement patterns of renters along with predictions for financial and digital trends in multifamily. First, The New York Times reports that there has been a drop in mobility for renters and homeowners alike. Then, Axiometrics weighs in on the risks and returns of investing in apartments, concluding that the flexibility of the sector leads to a more stable cash flow than some alternatives. MBA introduces us to the final ‘Duty to Serve’ plans that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will use to meet the needs of low income families by focusing in on manufactured housing, affordable housing preservation and rural housing. Next, City Lab forecasts that even as millennials age, the number of those who choose to live in the city will remain fairly consistent. Lastly, Property Management Insider suggests that multifamily owners should pay close attention to developments in video consumption, social media and artificial intelligence to maximize their returns in 2018.

“Only 21.7 percent of renters moved in 2017, a historically low rate, according to newly released United States Census Bureau data. Homeowners moved at an even lower rate — 5.5 percent, a slight uptick from 2016.”